TODAY AT SUBSTACK: If you’ve signed up for free emails at Substack, you will receive today’s feature story at your inbox: Since we’re all 76 trillion years old in L. Ron Hubbard’s cosmology, the Scientology founder believed we’ve lived long enough to have committed every revolting crime possible. In 1961 he came up with an interrogation to find out which ones his followers would admit to. Strap in! [What is this Substack thing, anyway?]
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Technology Cocktail
“Get the errors corrected correctly. Any misassessed lists, misrun Dianetic chains, code breaks — get it all cleaned up by an auditor who can read a meter and run and repair Dianetics flublessly. Don’t let any auditor who isn’t flubless on these points near an Int pc. With the errors truly and standardly handled and out of the way, if Int then continues to kick in, it’s not another Int RD or another Int Correction List, it’s the END OF ENDLESS INT REPAIR RUNDOWN you use. Run it to its EP and that will be the end of the trail of endless Int repair.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1979
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“I found out very early I could bully people into having sonic, visio, and everything else. I don’t know what I was doing. I guess I was handling their engrams for them and I guess cutting down their self determinism; maybe turning them back into GEs. I swear, I look back on it, I might occasionally have turned off a thetan, put him sound asleep and turned the GE full on and the fellow was happy as a clam thereafter.” — L. Ron Hubbard, September 4, 1952
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“NOTICE: Diana and I are going for three weeks leave, Sunday, September 5th. CS-G Comm, Lt. Nikki Freedman will be handling my lines while I am away. Further, the Guardian Offices WW and US are fully on post and completely capable of handling any matters which may arise. In case of extreme emergency, these Offices will also be in communication with me. Therefore, if any matter arises which has to do with Guardian Office functions and duties, place these on CS-G Comm’s Lines and such will be handled via the appropriate Guardian Office. The word is: BUSINESS AS USUAL.” — Love, Mary Sue Hubbard, Capt. CS-G, September 4, 1971
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“Just a note to say that I fully support the ban of Justin Craig’s pseudo-Scientology. LRH was quite clear in stating that after OT8 come actual OT levels, not more chasing of negative gain cosmologies. I suggested earlier that Craig could possibly be a BT from LRH’s left testicle.”
1998: Bob Minton reported harassment, pickets and letters from Scientology this week, with PIs following him in various cities. “Another letter to Therese arrived on Friday, again asking for a meeting so scientology could attempt to further divide Therese and me – perhaps even turn her into another Rosa Erlich. But Therese did not and will not bite that poison apple, Rinder. Today (Sunday) scientology picketed and passed out flyers in front of my former home on Beacon Hill in Boston to friends, neighbors, and parents of my children’s classmates, so that information about the break-up of their parents’ marriage – and who should be blamed for it – was there for all to see, even my 10- and 12-year-old daughters. As scientology has stalked Therese and the girls to Europe, followed the kids to a neighbor’s house and stalked me all over the US-it certainly was no surprise to scientology that Therese and the girls were in New Hampshire this morning. Scientology picketers showed up there for the little girls to see. My son Rob, who was mentioned on the Dateline show, seems to be working in some capacity for scientology – along with his mother – to discredit me in media circles. It is a concerted effort. Further, he is trying to help turn Therese against me – only to be told by Therese never to contact her again.”
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“You should watch me play Jeopardy when I’m properly medicated.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7, 2023. DA’s response to appeal brief due August 13.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing December 1.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson. Judge Upindra Kalra’s ruling denying Scientology’s motion to strike is on appeal. Jane Does’ response to Scientology’s appeal brief submitted July 30. Scientology’s reply due October 20.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, gets ruling to depose Jane Doe 1. Trial has been set for January 10, 2028.
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After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Scientology’s sneaky front groups keep doing their thing — and some are succeeding
[TWO years ago] Hey, everybody, Scientology’s sneaky school front, Applied Scholastics, is hiring!
[THREE years ago] Judge in labor trafficking lawsuit refuses relief for ex-Scientology trio: Bad omen?
[FOUR years ago] Liz Gale: The Scientology auditing of kids at Mace-Kingsley was my childhood
[FIVE years ago] SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Episode 2 spiked by Aussie network, ‘Witness X,’ is leaked online
[SIX years ago] Scientology’s biggest donors of 2019, so far: The whales giving millions to Miscavige
[SEVEN years ago] Two years after Scientology rehabbed an Australian acoustics lab, the silence is deafening
[EIGHT years ago] Tomorrow on ‘Leah Remini’: You’re going to learn what it’s like on Scientology’s ‘Bridge’
[NINE years ago] Bryan Seymour reporting live from Scientology’s ‘Advanced Org’ opening in Sydney
[TEN years ago] Actress Erika Christensen in unearthed video meant only for her fellow Scientologists
[ELEVEN years ago] LIVE REPORTS FROM TAMPA: Scientology tests its religious freedom defense in fraud lawsuit
[TWELVE years ago] Our Man in Paris, Jonny Jacobsen, on the Scientology Appeal in France’s Highest Court
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Joe Reaiche (1958-2024) did not see his daughter Alanna Masterson in his final 6,999 days.
Mike Rinder (1955-2025) did not see his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in his final 7,589 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 3,376 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,880 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 4,386 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,936 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,926 days.
Klaus Büchele has not seen his daughter Jasmin in 5,312 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,807 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 6,111 days.
Marc Headley has not seen his mother Trudy in 4,762 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,980 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,534 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,875 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 13,446 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 9,362 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,529 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 5,111 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 5,370 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 4,407 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 4,123 days.
Marie Poulin has not seen her mother June in 3,687 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 2,002 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 3,177 days.
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,859 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 5,196 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 10,049 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 5,165 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,527 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,938 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 4,326 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 4,210 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,775 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 4,286 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,546 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,650 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on September 4, 2025 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2023 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2023), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
